Chapter 37

It's been a while since I posted.

45,000 points... Thank you.

Nord leaned against the window, gazing at the distant mountains while deeply reflecting on yesterday's events.

The next day, after getting his new armor, during training, the members of the Iron Dragon Knights and the instructors also praised the quality of the armor. Of course, the instructor added a terrifying remark with a smile that made Nord shudder to his core, saying, "Well, you'll have to live up to that armor, won't you?"

After that, Nord endured a grueling training to acquire the skills of a scout, which he had recently started to aim for as an advanced soldier. After a single day, the seasoned air of his new armor was already evident. After the training, Nord headed to the flying dragon research institute in the capital.

"Professor, I'm coming in."

"Please, come in."

Nord, who had become familiar with the staff from frequent visits, knocked on the door of the professor's room. After receiving permission, he entered the room and got straight to the point.

"So, Professor, is there something you need?"

"Yes, about that..."

Nord was surprised because today was not the day for the regular report of the green-scaled flying dragon, Newt, whom the professor refused to call by name. Therefore, Nord asked what the matter was.

This researcher, in his thirties, with a white coat and glasses, was a relative of a high-ranking noble. The reason the professor could issue a formal order to Nord or lend him a military carriage with horses, which belonged to the knights, was due to his noble connections. Normally, Nord should have treated him with proper respect, but the professor himself didn't care, saying, "I'm just a distant relative, after all."

At first, Nord was confused, but after being exposed to the Iron Dragon Knights' martial spirit, which valued military rank over noble status, he began to interact with the professor more casually.

"Actually, I need you to run an errand for me."

"An errand... I don't mind, but..."

The professor, who usually didn't show much emotion, was different this time. He seemed hesitant and said, "I need to go to the Magic Academy for something..."

Nord, who had never been to the Magic Academy, was surprised. The Magic Academy, located in the southwest of the capital, was an academic institution that complemented the research institute. While the institute focused on non-magical technology, such as the breeding of flying dragons, the Magic Academy specialized in magical technology, including the production of magic stones in artificial labyrinths.

"What do I need to do?"

"Thank you, Nord. Just deliver this letter, okay? Please take care of it."

"Understood."

Nord didn't know why the professor was uncomfortable with the Magic Academy but didn't ask. As a squire, it wasn't unusual for him to run errands. He took the letter from the professor and left the room. Newt, who had been yawning, followed Nord out.

Before heading to the Magic Academy, Nord checked the address on the letter, which read, "To Master Rayson," in the professor's handwriting.

Nord stopped Newt from sniffing the letter and directed the carriage towards the Magic Academy.

§

"This is the Magic Academy..."

The Magic Academy was located in the southwest of the capital, opposite the research institute, which was in the northeast. After showing the professor's pass to the guards, Nord entered the grounds.

He parked the carriage in the parking area near the building and told Newt to stay. The stone building was larger than the institute, with large stone pillars supporting the roof over the entrance. Inside, a solemn atmosphere prevailed.

Nord remembered that Master Rayson's room was on the third floor. He walked through the building, following the directions the professor had given him. The building was dimly lit, with magic stone lamps providing light. On the way, he encountered a mage in a cloak, who probably worked there. They all wore their hats low, making it hard to see their faces, but they stared at Nord in his armor, their gazes unfriendly.

Nord felt their silent disapproval. What is a mere knight doing here? Finish your business and leave immediately. The Magic Academy seemed to be an exclusive place.

Nord climbed the spiral staircase to the third floor and began searching for Master Rayson's room. He approached a nearby room, which had a wooden door with a nameplate. The golden letters on the door were probably the name of the mage who lived there, but it wasn't Master Rayson's.

Nord decided to search each room. Just as he was about to start, a commotion broke the solemn silence of the stone corridor.

"Come on, go home quickly!"

"Excuse me..."

Nord turned to see someone leaving a room. The room probably had a Silence spell, which explained why the Magic Academy was so quiet. The person who left the room closed the door gently, and the noise inside disappeared, restoring the building's silence.

"Ah... What should I do?"

The person sighed deeply, even with the hat pulled low. The small body in the loose mage's robe belonged to someone Nord recognized.

"Excuse me, do you have a moment? I have a question."

"Eh? Ah, yes! What is it... Oh, wait?"

Nord's polite greeting made the person realize he wasn't alone. Turning to face Nord, the person recognized him and exclaimed.

"Ah... You're Nord, right? Oh, you can't tell with the helmet... Here, it's me."

The person removed the hat, revealing a face Nord recognized.

"Ah, it's Elyseo, right?"

"Yes, that's right! Thank you for your help back then."

Nord recognized the face of the mage, Elyseo, whom he had saved from bandits at dusk. Elyseo bowed and expressed gratitude.

"Don't mention it, it was just doing my duty."

"But that's not the case. Anyway, why are you here, Nord?"

"I have some business... I need to find Master Rayson's room. Do you know where it is?"

Elyseo, who knew the location, offered to guide Nord.

"I know, I'll show you."

"Thank you, I appreciate it."

Nord was lucky that Elyseo knew the way. He gratefully accepted the offer.

"What kind of business do you have?"

"It's an errand. I was asked to deliver a letter."

"A letter..."

As they walked, Nord and Elyseo talked. Nord, trained as a squire and adventurer, walked quickly, while Elyseo, being smaller, walked slowly. Nord adjusted his pace to match Elyseo's, noticing the smaller head of the mage in front of him.

"By the way, I didn't notice before, but Elyseo has red hair."

"Yes, this? I inherited it from my mother."

Elyseo's slender fingers ran through the red hair, which shone under the light of the magic stone lamps.

"By the way, your armor has changed, hasn't it?"

"Yes, I was just about to receive it the last time we met."

"It looks really cool!"

"What's it made of?" Elyseo asked, turning to look at Nord.

"It's made from spider materials," Nord replied, and Elyseo seemed surprised.

"Spider materials! It doesn't look like it. I thought it was metal or something."

"Yes, it's processed in a special way to look like this."

"Wow..."

Nord shared the knowledge he had learned from the armorer, and Elyseo nodded in admiration. While looking at Nord's armor, Elyseo stumbled.

"Ah, uh!?"

The stone corridor, though skillfully laid, wasn't perfectly flat. Elyseo tripped on a small gap between the stones and lost balance.

"Hey, watch where you're going. Can you stand?"

Nord, who had already moved to catch Elyseo, supported her from behind, preventing her from falling. Through the armor, he felt the softness of Elyseo's body, which was much less muscular than his own or his fellow knights.

Mages are frail. Without armor, they wouldn't last a single hit. Nord thought this as Elyseo, blushing, thanked him for the help.

§

"Here... Here it is..."

"Thank you, I appreciate it."

Elyseo, who had been somewhat distant after the incident, led Nord to Master Rayson's room. The door had 'Rayson' written in gold letters.

Nord knocked and entered. The room was cluttered, similar to the professor's lab. A large desk was covered with papers, and shelves held various minerals, plants, and monster materials. At the back, a wooden desk was piled high with documents.

"Who are you? Oh, it's you again! I won't take you as a disciple no matter how many times you come!"

"No, no! Master Rayson! The person you need to see is this one!"

"Nice to meet you. I'm Nord Felis. I'm here to deliver a letter from the research institute."

"From the research institute...?"

Master Rayson, an elderly man with a long white beard, looked up from his desk. He first glanced at Nord, then at Elyseo, and finally at Nord again.

Nord introduced himself and got straight to the point. He entered the room with permission and handed the letter to Master Rayson. After reading the name on the envelope, Master Rayson opened it and read the contents.

"Hmm, fine. Take this."

"What is this?"

"It's what was requested in the letter. Give it to Eric. And boy,"

"Yes, Master Rayson?"

"Tell that fool Eric to come himself next time! Now, get out, get out!!"

Master Rayson, after retrieving something from a shelf and throwing it to Nord, dismissed him rudely. Nord, thinking, "What did you do, Professor?" left the room with a thank you.

"Ah, you're done?"

"Elyseo, you're still here. You could have gone home."

"No, I couldn't. I haven't thanked you properly yet."

Nord, who had been grateful for the guidance, was surprised to find Elyseo waiting outside. Elyseo, feeling guilty, offered to stay.

"Anyway, I'm sorry for the trouble earlier."

"Hmm? Oh, about the disciple thing?"

"Yes, Master Rayson must have mistaken me for someone else. I was refused as a disciple before."

"Disciple?"

Elyseo explained that mages, after a few years at the magic academy, seek a master to apprentice under. However, this process was not going well for her.

"Is there a reason why?"

"Well, I'm from a commoner background... That seems to be the issue."

"I thought mages were judged by their talent."

"That's true for independent mages, but the magic academy is also a place to become a master. Connections matter."

Elyseo's expression was painful, and Nord, a noble albeit a minor one, couldn't find the right words to comfort her. Instead, he changed the topic to the magic he had seen Elyseo use in the city.

"By the way, are you an alchemist?"

"No, alchemy is just one of the magics I've studied. My specialty is enchantment, and I've also studied kinetic magic."

"Kinetic magic?"

"That's what's commonly called 'attack magic.'"

Nord understood. It referred to spells that manipulated fire, lightning, and cold. Elyseo explained that these were classified as kinetic magic among mages.

"So, you can use three types of magic? That's... quite impressive."

"Thank you. I'm actually quite confident in my magical abilities."

Nord, who was skilled in sword, spear, and bow, recognized Elyseo's talent. He had trained in swordsmanship since childhood and gained experience as an adventurer and dragon knight. He had recently started training with a spear to prepare for becoming a full dragon knight, but he was still a beginner.

Nord admired Elyseo's talent, and she, feeling proud, smiled beautifully.

"Enchantment, like magic swords?"

"Yes, that's correct. For example, this."

Elyseo pointed to a magic lamp on the wall.

"This is a magic device powered by a magic stone, but it's also a form of enchantment. It has a magic circle inside, which is supplied with magic power from the stone."

"Interesting, I didn't know that."

"Yes, I want to research the creation of such devices. Oh, right!"

Elyseo, excited, invited Nord to her room after their meeting.

"Nord, would you like to come to my room later? I have something to give you."

Nord, impressed by the connection, agreed. He hoped Elyseo's mood had improved and continued the conversation.

§

I tried to include more dialogue this time.

The word count increased a lot.

Personally, I feel the atmosphere has changed from before. What do you think?

Even if I can't incorporate all the feedback, please feel free to share your thoughts, like "This is better," "The previous one was better," "The prose feels off," "Kikurage," "The atmosphere improved," or "The atmosphere is off."

For reference.

Who said that just now?

* The author's responses to comments have become so filled with "kikurage" that we are closing the "kikurage" comment submissions.